{"election_id":"local.southampton.2026-05-07","tmp_election_id":null,"election_title":"Southampton local election","poll_open_date":"2026-05-07","election_type":{"name":"Local elections","election_type":"local"},"election_subtype":null,"organisation":{"url":"http://elections.democracyclub.org.uk/api/organisations/local-authority/STH/1997-04-01/","official_identifier":"STH","organisation_type":"local-authority","organisation_subtype":"UA","official_name":"Southampton City Council","common_name":"Southampton","slug":"southampton","territory_code":"ENG","election_name":"Southampton local election","start_date":"1997-04-01","end_date":null,"created":"1997-04-01T00:00:00Z","modified":"2021-10-11T14:59:26.370579Z"},"group":"local.2026-05-07","group_type":"organisation","identifier_type":"organisation","children":["local.southampton.banister-polygon.2026-05-07","local.southampton.bargate.2026-05-07","local.southampton.bassett.2026-05-07","local.southampton.bevois.2026-05-07","local.southampton.bitterne-park.2026-05-07","local.southampton.coxford.2026-05-07","local.southampton.freemantle.2026-05-07","local.southampton.harefield.2026-05-07","local.southampton.millbrook.2026-05-07","local.southampton.peartree.2026-05-07","local.southampton.portswood.2026-05-07","local.southampton.redbridge.2026-05-07","local.southampton.shirley.2026-05-07","local.southampton.sholing.2026-05-07","local.southampton.swaythling.2026-05-07","local.southampton.thornhill.2026-05-07","local.southampton.woolston.2026-05-07"],"elected_role":"Local Councillor","seats_contested":null,"division":null,"voting_system":{"name":"First-past-the-post","wikipedia_url":"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-past-the-post_voting","description":"A first-past-the-post (abbreviated FPTP, 1stP, 1PTP or FPP) or winner-takes-all election is one that is won by the candidate receiving more votes than any others.","uses_party_lists":false,"slug":"FPTP"},"requires_voter_id":null,"current":true,"explanation":"This is an election for **unitary councillors**. \r\n\r\nCouncillors represent the people of their ward on the council. Councillors are elected for four-year terms, and most wards are represented by more than one councillor. This council elects one-third of its councillors each year, which is why you may only have one vote.\r\n\r\nUnitary councils are responsible for many different services, including:\r\n\r\n * Child and adult social care\r\n * Schools and education\r\n * Rubbish collection and recycling\r\n * Housing and planning\r\n * Libraries and museums\r\n * Roads and pavements\r\n * Sports facilities and public parks\r\n\r\nCouncils are funded by a combination of council tax, business rates, and grants from the UK government. Councillors are not paid a salary, but they do receive financial compensation and expenses to cover their time and travel commitments.\r\n\r\n[**Learn more about English local government from New Local.**](https://www.newlocal.org.uk/articles/local-government-explained-part-2-what-do-councils-do/)","metadata":null,"deleted":false,"cancelled":false,"cancellation_reason":null,"replaces":null,"replaced_by":null,"by_election_reason":"","tags":{},"created":"2025-11-24T14:59:36.972228Z","modified":"2026-02-11T10:44:38.647131Z"}